Consumer Confidence Trending Upward

Published March 26th, 2014

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A new survey compiled by the University of Florida researchers show consumer confidence in the state is at it's highest point since the recession.

According to the monthly UF study, consumer confidence among Floridians rose by three points in the month of March. The index was recorded at 81, that's the same level consumer confidence was measured at during a two month stretch last year. That high water mark last summer was the highest it's been since the global recession of 2009.

"Historically speaking, 81 is not very high at all. If the economy is doing well, if you look historically, we would probably be somewhere in the 90's. But 81 is actually pretty good given what we've gone through," said Chris McCarty, director of the UF Survey Research Center.

McCarty attributes this latest spike in confidence to recent budget deals in congress, and an overall sense that the economy is improving.

He says the recent conflict between the Ukraine and Russia along with the planned pull-back in Federal Reserve stimulus make up the biggest threats to consumer confidence in the near-term.